rekindled excitement over the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Started by Scion7, November 16, 2022, 04:57:50 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Scion7

Pulled this one out last night.  Listening again to it this morning.  Brilliant playing. 
Much more fire, than say, Hahn and Petrenko.
Sad ending for such a talented man, though.  R.I.P.

When, a few months before his death, Rachmaninov lamented that he no longer had the "strength and fire" to compose, friends reminded him of the Symphonic Dances, so charged with fire and strength. "Yes," he admitted. "I don't know how that happened. That was probably my last flicker."

Pohjolas Daughter

Quote from: Scion7 on November 16, 2022, 04:57:50 AM
Pulled this one out last night.  Listening again to it this morning.  Brilliant playing. 
Much more fire, than say, Hahn and Petrenko.
Sad ending for such a talented man, though.  R.I.P.
Glad that you are enjoying it!  I don't know his recording of it, but I do enjoy that concerto.  :)

PD
Pohjolas Daughter

Scion7

That record has traveled with me across the Atlantic.  Great sound for 1958 - good stereo balance.  The original cover is better; this shot is of an older Ferras.  But it was on sale in London as I recall ... and I plucked it!
When, a few months before his death, Rachmaninov lamented that he no longer had the "strength and fire" to compose, friends reminded him of the Symphonic Dances, so charged with fire and strength. "Yes," he admitted. "I don't know how that happened. That was probably my last flicker."

Karl Henning

Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Leo K.

YES me too! The recording by Joshua Bell with Michael Tilson Thomas sounded so different to the usual interpretation it got me interested again in the violin Concerto.

Florestan

Count me in too as a big fan of this concerto, one of my favorite piece of music ever written.

We all have our favorites but I suggest a different game: what is the worst performance of it you've ever heard? For me it is this:



The most lifeless, passionless, boringest  (sic!) and dullest recording of Tchaikovsky's music I've ever heard, possibly of anyone's music. Unbelievably bad.
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Lisztianwagner

I love Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto very much too, it is an absolutely incredible, compelling piece. I don't know the Ferras recording with Silvestri, but I definitely appreciate his recording with Karajan/BPO, really outstanding.
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Jo498

I am not a huge fan of the piece but the recording that rekindled my interest some time ago was Repin/Gergiev (live, with Miaskovsky). And I am annoyed that Ferras/Silvestri was not included in the big EMI Silvestri-box.
Tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.
- Blaise Pascal

Florestan

Quote from: Jo498 on November 16, 2022, 12:13:45 PM
I am not a huge fan of the piece but the recording that rekindled my interest some time ago was Repin/Gergiev (live, with Miaskovsky).

Don't know that and chances are I'll never know it --- in my book Gergiev is a despicable scumbag I have no interest whatsoever in exploring.

QuoteI am annoyed that Ferras/Silvestri was not included in the big EMI Silvestri-box.

I am too but the box is focused entirely on Silvestri --- there is not a single concerto in it.
Every kind of music is good, except the boring kind. — Rossini

Jo498

I am certainly not entering Gergiev debates but FWIW I got this recording before the current conflict became "hot".
They were at least consistent in case of the Icon Silvestri box (they did much worse in some other cases).
Tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.
- Blaise Pascal

Daverz

The most compelling modern recording I've heard is Pavel Šporcl on Supraphon.  An intense, folk-inspired performance.

[asin]B00008UEFL[/asin]
You'd expect that Bělohlávek would conduct the Dvorak and Ashkenazy the Tchaikovsky, but it's the other way around.

Quote from: Jo498 on November 16, 2022, 12:13:45 PM
I am not a huge fan of the piece but the recording that rekindled my interest some time ago was Repin/Gergiev (live, with Miaskovsky). And I am annoyed that Ferras/Silvestri was not included in the big EMI Silvestri-box.

I don't think the Silvestri Icon box has any recordings of Silvestri as accompanist.  It's in the Ferras Icon box, though.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8364849--christian-ferras-the-complete-hmv-telefunken-recordings 

Roasted Swan

Quote from: Daverz on November 17, 2022, 02:22:25 AM
The most compelling modern recording I've heard is Pavel Šporcl on Supraphon.  An intense, folk-inspired performance.

[asin]B00008UEFL[/asin]
You'd expect that Bělohlávek would conduct the Dvorak and Ashkenazy the Tchaikovsky, but it's the other way around.

I don't think the Silvestri Icon box has any recordings of Silvestri as accompanist.  It's in the Ferras Icon box, though.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8364849--christian-ferras-the-complete-hmv-telefunken-recordings

Šporcl is a phenomenally talented player - I like the musical risks he takes.  That doesn't mean I always like the results(!) but I like a player who doesn't just go for "safe" super-polished options.  I try and get just about anything he records.  Another really exciting/individual Tchaikovsky is from the ever-great Aaron Rosand.  Old-School and with the occasionally technical blip but wow this guy can play!!!




Jo498

Quote from: Daverz on November 17, 2022, 02:22:25 AM
I don't think the Silvestri Icon box has any recordings of Silvestri as accompanist.  It's in the Ferras Icon box, though.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8364849--christian-ferras-the-complete-hmv-telefunken-recordings
Yes, all accompaniments (also Menuhin, Ciccolini and a few more) would have been about 4-5 more discs and thus probably too much for the typical Icon format. As I wrote, they were at least consistent by not having any concerti. But as it is not a piece I care a lot for, it's no reason for me to get another box; the Ferras is a bit tempting for the chamber music but not quite enough, unless really rock bottom cheap.
Tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.
- Blaise Pascal

LKB

My first recording featured Isaac Stern with Ormandy and his Philadelphia Orchestra, recorded for Columbia/CBS in 1958. Decent sound, and thinking back on it I suspect that it was probably one of Stern's better recordings. Certainly l enjoyed it as much as Heifetz/ Reiner ( my current preference ) or Oistrakh/Ormandy, as fine as those efforts are.
Mit Flügeln, die ich mir errungen...

Dry Brett Kavanaugh


Roasted Swan

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on November 17, 2022, 09:04:37 PM
Maybe these for me.







Its curious - and obviously simply a personal reaction - but of all the famous/ridiculously talented players, Gidon Kremer is the one I seek out least.  Of course he can play brilliantly but somehow he rarely engages my heart as well as my head.  I'm sure we all have similar blank spots!

Irons

Quote from: Scion7 on November 16, 2022, 05:08:18 AM
That record has traveled with me across the Atlantic.  Great sound for 1958 - good stereo balance.  The original cover is better; this shot is of an older Ferras.  But it was on sale in London as I recall ... and I plucked it!

The image cover of your post is I think a French issue. An original ASD LP is highly sought after with a market value of between one and three hundred UK pounds depending on condition. Testament issued, mainly violin, a batch of facsimile LPs over time of which Tchaikovsky/Ferras is one, it is this issue I own.
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.

Pohjolas Daughter

Quote from: Irons on November 18, 2022, 12:02:33 AM
The image cover of your post is I think a French issue. An original ASD LP is highly sought after with a market value of between one and three hundred UK pounds depending on condition. Testament issued, mainly violin, a batch of facsimile LPs over time of which Tchaikovsky/Ferras is one, it is this issue I own.
Lol,

Is this photo one of the original ASD ones?  If so, what distinguishes the Testament ones?  As in can one see their label?

PD
Pohjolas Daughter

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Quote from: Roasted Swan on November 17, 2022, 11:05:58 PM
Its curious - and obviously simply a personal reaction - but of all the famous/ridiculously talented players, Gidon Kremer is the one I seek out least.  Of course he can play brilliantly but somehow he rarely engages my heart as well as my head.  I'm sure we all have similar blank spots!
.

I like some coolness and lyricism in his playing. I also like the performance of orchestra.

Irons

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 18, 2022, 03:29:21 AM
Lol,

Is this photo one of the original ASD ones?  If so, what distinguishes the Testament ones?  As in can one see their label?

PD

Yes, PD. If you notice there is a gold stereo sticker which signifies a white and gold label first edition which sells for big bucks. Testament even went to the trouble of copying the sticker! The big giveaway which for copyright reasons Testament was unable to avoid on both label and cover is the use of EMI instead of HMV. Initially all releases were from the EMI catalogue but later they were to source other labels, Decca for example.

The company that opened up the market for facsimile LPs wasn't British but American.   
You must have a very good opinion of yourself to write a symphony - John Ireland.

I opened the door people rushed through and I was left holding the knob - Bo Diddley.